REDINGTON SHORES – Costs for police service will be held to last year’s amount under a preliminary budget submitted to the town commission by Indian Shores Mayor Jim Lawrence.
The Indian Shores Police Department provides policing services to the town of Redington Shores for a fee equal to 35 percent of the total police budget.
In a letter sent April 1 to Mayor Jody Armstrong and police liaison Commissioner Bert Adams, Lawrence stated that the current police service fee was “between $16,560 and $31,840 less than the sheriff’s charge for comparable service.”
Lawrence went on to say that “this year’s (fiscal year 2009) fee for service provides equal or greater savings to the Town of Redington Shores by comparison.”
Following approval of the tentative budget by the commission at the April 9 meeting, commission members praised police Chief E.D. Williams for his efforts.
“You do an excellent job,” Vice Mayor Bert Adams told Williams.
Adams’ comment was seconded by Commissioner John Branch.
Williams said in a comment following the meeting that the department had taken a number of measures to keep
costs down. He mentioned replacement of a long-time employee with a lower salaried individual, a reduction in insurance rates and pension costs, and good management practices.
Town utility undergrounding near an end
A two-year effort to place the town’s utilities underground is nearing completion, Vice Mayor Adams reported. Adams said the work in his district, District 1, the last area to be addressed, is about done.
“The lights are going on now. There are more lights and they are brighter,” Adams said.
Adams complimented town building official Steve Andrews and his assistant Brad Kelley for their work in making the undergrounding effort a success.
“There’s no way to add up all the money they have saved us,” he said.
The undergrounding project, which began in March 2006, is being done at no cost to the residents.
Beach walkover contract approved
The commission approved a “piggyback” contract with the city of Indian Rocks Beach for the construction of three beach walkovers at Coral, Beach and Atoll avenues.
The town will save costs by joining the Indian Rocks contract, building official Steve Andrews indicated, as the construction company will be able to combine the project with the building of a number of walkovers in that city.
The commission approved spending $56,000 for the beach walkover project, which is being financed by a $60,000 grant.
Ice cream social is planned
A social event to recognize the contributions of the town’s older citizens will be held Saturday, May 3, 3 to 5 p.m., at Del Bello Park, Mayor Jody Armstrong announced. The month of May is recognized as “Older Citizens Month” in a proclamation signed recently by the mayor.
Armstrong said she gets to have dessert first as a special treat on her birthday, so “I am inviting the town’s seniors to celebrate aging gracefully and have dessert before dinner.”
